Knife.



T. J. McPHEE.

APPLICATION EITlZ J UNEZI, I915. 1,176,588. Patented Mar. 21,1916.

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THOMAS JOSEPH MOPHEE, OF SPOKANE, WASHINGTON.

KNIFE.

Application filed June 21, 1915.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, THOMAS JOSEPH Mc- PHEE, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of Spokane, in the State of Washington, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Knives, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in knives, with more particular reference to those used by linemen in electrical work, and the object of my invention is to devise a knife which is adapted to be hung to the belt chain when not in use so as to be readily accessible when required and in which the parts liable to come inadvertently into contact with the live wires when in use are well protected therefrom so that there is no possible danger of shock to the user. I attain this object by the means illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a side view showing the knife blade and metal handle. Fig. 2 is a side view showing the insulated collar and nipple in assembled position on the knife handle. Fig. 3 is an edge view of the knife blade and handle. Fig. 4 is a view of the sleeve, in part section. Fig. 5 is an assembled view of the knife, when in use. Fig. 6 is an assembled view of the knife, when not in use.

Similar figures of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views.

The metal portion of my knife is formed preferably as shown in Fig. 1, and consists of a steel cutting blade 1 and an integral iron or steel handle 2, which handle is provided with a ring 3 by means of which the knife may be attached to the chain carried from the belt of the user.

4 indicates a collar formed of hard rubber, bakelite, or other insulating material, which collar is pressed on to the handle 2 so as to be held securely thereto, the material filling grooves 5 formed in the sides and edges of the handle when pressed thereon so as to retain the collar more securely in place.

6 indicates an externally threaded nipple, also formed of suitable insulating material, and provided with a plain portion 7 of larger diameter than the threaded portions of the nipple, which nipple is pressed on to the handle 2 so as to be held securely thereto, the handle being provided with enlargements 8 over which the nipple is pressed Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 21, 1916.

Serial No. 35,283.

and which enlargements provide for the better retention of the nipple to the handle.

9 indicates a sleeve formed of suitable insulating material, closed at one end and provided with a bore 10, the open end of which bore is threaded, as indicated 11 in Fig. 3, to correspond with the threaded portions of the nipple 6. The diameter of the bore 10 is such that the collar 4 will fit rotatably therein and form a support for the sleeve when same is in position inclosing the handle 2.

The manner in which my knife is used will be apparent on reference being made to the drawings and particularly Figs. 5 and 6, from which it will be seen that when it is not in use, (Fig. 6), the sleeve 9 incloses the blade 1, being then threaded on to the end of the nipple 6 nearest the blade, thus protecting the blade. When it is desired to use the knife, the sleeve is unscrewed, passed over the handle 2 so as to completely inclose same and the ring 3, and screwed on to the end of the nipple nearest the handle. The sleeve 9 now becomes the handle of the knife for operating purposes, and it will be seen that, as it incloses entirely the handle 2 and ring 3 and is perfectly insulated from the blade 1, the danger of shock to the user is eliminated, a danger which is always present when using the form of knife in use at the present time, in which the ring 3 is not insulated or protected against inadvertent contact with the live WlIeS.

What I claim as my invention 1. A linemans knife, comprising an integral cutting blade and handle, means for suspending said handle from a belt, an encircling insulating element located centrally of said blade and handle, another insulating element encircling the handle near its extremity, and a covering sleeve adapted to receive the handle and hold same by contact of both said insulating elements with 100 secured on said extend n a insulating no collar also secured on said extended end, and an insulating sleeve closed at one end adapted to fit over said collar and inclose said extended end and said ring or to be reversed to inclose said blade, Said sleeve being adapted for detachable connection to either threaded end of said nipple.

3. A linemans knife, comprising, a cutting blade one end of which is extended and provided with a ring at its outer extremity, said extended end having grooves formed thereon near its outer extremity and being enlarged near its inner end, an externally threaded insulating nipple pressed on to said extended end and further secured by said enlargements, an insulating collar pressed on to said end and further secured by said grooves, and an insulating sleeve closed at one end and having a bore fitting the said collar and adapted to inclose either the said extended end and ring or the cutting blade, the open end of said bore being threaded whereby the said sleeve may be detachably connected to either end of said nipple.

4. In a linemans knife, the combination with a cutting blade and a ring for suspending said blade, of means for protecting said ring against inadvertent electrical contact, said means comprising an insulating nipple secured to the inner end of said blade, and an insulating sleeve closed at one end and adapted to inclose said ring, the other end of said sleeve being adapted for detachable connection to either end of said nip le.

Dated at Vancouver, B. 0., this 3rd ay of June, 1915.

THOMAS JOSEPH MCPHEE.

Witnesses:

JAMES TAYLOR, ISOBEL D. ORR. 

